Most title insurers don’t have a venture investing strategy, but most title insurers don’t have Paul Hurst, chief innovation officer at First American and managing director of First American’s venture investing arm. Hurst has guided investments in 20 high-growth proptech companies for First American, producing $355 million in gains as of the end of 2021. Yet, these financial returns of the venture investments are only part of the value they have brought to First American as many of the proptech companies within First American’s venture portfolio have become strategic partners.

The impressive outcomes over the past year are largely a result of the insightful contributions of Hurst. He demonstrated his leadership and teamwork as he helped develop and launch Endpoint, a digital title and settlement company that streamlines home closings for real estate agents, buyers and sellers, and empowers proptech companies and investors looking to scale their closing operations. 

What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?

When I first started my career at BCG Digital Ventures, one of the senior partners pointed out how the important decisions you make in your career are more about who you are working with and learning from, and less about the industry you’re working in. The advice has been incredibly valuable to me as my career progressed.

Name:

Paul Hurst

Age:

35

Title:

Chief Innovation Officer

Company Name:

First American Financial Corporation